Mark Winterbottom is recovering from a broken leg from a water-skiing accident
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5:23 PM Mon 16 January, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
Ford Performance Racing’s (FPR) Mark Winterbottom is recovering from a broken tibia sustained over the Christmas break. Winterbottom broke the base of his left tibia – near his ankle joint – while water skiing two days before New Year's Eve.
“After we got back from America we went water skiing after Christmas as we always do,” explained Winterbottom.
“I was using a lock-in boot and unfortunately my ski went one way and I went the other and that’s when I heard the click. Initially I though it was ligament damage though that didn’t prove to be the case.
With assistance from V8 Supercars Medical Delegate, Dr Carl Le, Winterbottom was successfully operated on and had two screws inserted into the break.
The factory Ford driver is already back training and has been working closely with trainers and staff at the Essendon Football Club.
“Dr Carl Le was a huge help and put me onto a great surgeon. My recovery is going really well. The cast is off, I can already put weight on it and I have been training at Essendon FC," said Winterbottom.
“I’ve been using their facilities as my personal trainer also trains the Essendon players so I have been working with their rehabilitation team as they often see similar injuries in their players.
“As the break is on my left leg I am not really worried. I will easily be fit for Clipsal which is the main thing.
I am seeing the surgeon a few days before the test day so he can evaluate my recovery but at this stage I plan to drive the car as scheduled.”
FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards said Winterbottom’s renowned high fitness level is already aiding his recovery.
“Given the incident was only a couple of weeks ago Mark is making a very rapid recovery,” said Edwards.
“We don’t wrap our drivers in cotton wool. This is a very rare occurrence and Mark will be fine for the start of the season so nothing changes for us.”
Winterbottom is scheduled to participate in V8 Supercars’ official pre-season test at Melbourne's Sandown Raceway on Saturday, 11 February.
The opening round of the 2012 Championship, Adelaide's Clipsal 500, will be held from March 1-4.
